The building of a watchtower, hedge, and wall shows that the owner takes special precautions for the safety of the vineyard. One is invited to think through God’s activity on Israel’s behalf.Īs with all farmers, God waits expectantly (and patiently!) for their development (two years at a minimum for a new vineyard). It includes planting, clearing, and making the best possible preparations for the expected harvest. The owner cares for the vines and contributes the best divine effort to their growth and development. Wrathful judgment is a contingent divine response to developments within the relationship, not a perpetual divine frown. Love is basic to the identity of God and that remains intact through all the anger and judgment that follows. The owner is God, the “beloved,” a word that carries high levels of intimacy.

Indeed, the owner is very fond of his vineyard, works hard on its behalf, and has only the best intentions for its future. The relationship between owner and vineyard is in good order. The land is fertile, with great possibilities for the development of the vines. Israel is chosen by the beloved, with a high value as human beings. The beginning of the text is very positive. This strategic use of the love-song is to get them to recognize what they have done and to respond to God’s questions in 5:3-4 in a way that would be fair and just. But only in 5:7 are identities made clear and only then would the people see that the song is actually a harsh judgment on them. Given this imagery, Isaiah 5:1-7 is best designated an allegory (cf. It has been suggested that such a turn would be like singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” to the tune of “Let me call you sweetheart”! The love-song imagery sets up the audience to hear words of love, but words of judgment soon fill the room. This association is evident in the immediately prior book, where the loved one is likened to a vineyard (Song of Solomon 7:6-9 8:11-12).įor Isaiah to use a vineyard image for the God, Israel relationship stands in that tradition only now it is deeply ironic given the breakdown in Israel’s relationship with God. The image of a vineyard for Israel is used elsewhere (see 3:14 27:2-6 Psalm 80:8-19) it is sometimes associated with the image of a bride with her beloved. For Isaiah to refer to God as “my beloved” is to identify himself as a representative of God’s beloved people Israel. After speaking 5:1-2, Isaiah quotes God in 5:3-6 and then returns to speak the balance of the chapter. The “beloved,” the owner of the vineyard, is God and the “vineyard” is Israel (5:7). The speaker is Isaiah (“my” 5:1, 9) the prophet speaks in the first person for the first time.

Tower of trample ves